Tributes paid to veteran sports administrator Con Conway

Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee vice-president Con Conway, who dedicated four decades of his life to sport, especially the welfare of athletes, has died, aged 72.

Conway, a former president of the Hong Kong Hockey Association, succumbed to a long battle with cancer at the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital on Saturday. He leaves behind his wife, Carlye Tsui.

The outspoken Irishman, who was with the British Army during the Korean war, was described as a "players' president" by former Hong Kong hockey captain Farooq Saeed.

"He was always there for us," Saeed said. "His personal relationship with every player was superb and his commitment to the game was extraordinary. He was an inspiration and during his long tenure hockey enjoyed a good period."

SFOC president Timothy Fok Tsun-ting said Conway's death was a huge loss to the city's sporting family. "He was involved in many sports, not only hockey, and knew many people," Fok said. "It was fitting that Con was part of the Hong Kong squad at the Olympic Games. My condolences go out to his wife."

An avid hockey player who later became an umpire, Conway's first love was athletics, where he excelled in the 400 metres and 800 metres in the 1960s.